Brian Evans, Canada’s chief veterinarian, didn’t get to vote in the Jan. 23 election. Instead he was on his way to Alberta. “I didn’t get to the polls this time. Everyone has to have his priorities and this is mine,” said Evans from a cellular phone as his team drove across central Alberta to the […] Read more
Stories by Michael Raine
Farm role urged in plant breeding
The future of Canadian plant breeding research may not be formed by public hands or in farmers’ interests unless the system is changed, a Winnipeg consultant said during the recent Saskatchewan Seed Growers Association annual meeting in Saskatoon. Bert Innes, a former federal crops researcher, urged more co-operation between federal and provincial governments, universities and […] Read more
Seed quality variable for coming growing season
Seed growers across the West report that seed quality and quantity for spring 2006 are highly variable and sales remain sluggish. Terry Rempel of Springstein, Man., said the wet weather that plagued much of southern Manitoba last year caused headaches for seed growers this winter. “Small kernels, light weight oats. Some flax that didn’t mature […] Read more
Pulse producers, breeders co-operate
A long-term funding agreement for pulse breeding at the University of Saskatchewan gives global distribution rights of new varieties to producers. In exchange for a $21 million funding package stretching over 15 years, the U of S Crop Development Centre has provided Saskatchewan Pulse Growers the exclusive right to distribute new varieties it develops of […] Read more
Inoculant company unites facilites
Calvin Sonntag and trillions of bugs are kicking around in their new 105, 000 sq. foot home this week. Sonntag is president and chief executive officer of Philom Bios. The 25-year-old crop inoculant company moved from its numerous offices and manufacturing facilities scattered across Saskatoon into a converted farm equipment warehouse late last year. “It […] Read more
New peat granules off limits in Canada
Peat granules: only in America you say? Pity. Tonnes of new Rhizobium bacteria and Penicillium bilaii fungi-infected peat moss granules are growing quietly on palates in a shiny new, 110,000 sq. foot warehouse and production facility in Saskatoon. But the new technology that will allow American producers of pulse crops to take advantage of the […] Read more
Inoculation good bet in bad year
Red ink will be hard to avoid this spring when pencilling out seeding choices, but some production investments could help make the best of it. Fran Walley, a professor and head of soil science at the University of Saskatchewan, said when it comes to pulse crops, inoculating them with Rhizobium bacteria “is the best bargain […] Read more
Improper fertilizer impedes nodulation
Using a starter application of nitrogen fertilizer can reduce nodulation of pulse crops. Fran Walley of the University of Saskatchewan said the addition of extra nitrogen to pulse crops at the time of seeding is unnecessary in most cases. “Often it appears to impede the plant’s own ability to fix N from the air.” Walley […] Read more
Conservatives promise voluntary wheat board
Conservative MP and candidate Gerry Ritz discussed his party’s position on the Canadian Wheat Board during a debate held Jan. 12 in Saskatoon, but it wasn’t enough to satisfy his debate opponents or some farmers in the crowd. Ritz, New Democratic Party candidate Nettie Wiebe and Liberal Peter Stroh faced off in an agricultural debate […] Read more
Ag college name change concerns U of S alumni
What’s in a name? For a university department in Saskatchewan, a great deal, say academics and alumni. But that’s where the University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture’s faculty and some of its graduates disagree. Agriculture is one of the founding colleges of the U of S and remains an anchor for the 100-year-old institution. Last […] Read more
